i know shaun should still have mike's number if you need it.

only dogbox that i know of that is a direct bolt in is the HKS one.

there's other alternatives too depending on what you really plan on doing with the car. if you plan on doing more 1/4 stuff then a planetary air shift tranny is the way to go but it won't be a streetable car with it. the dog box will still retain some streetability but both will probably be similar in overall price where the planetary transmissions will be far superior in the quarter mile, dog box will be the toughest for actually needing a clutch on the street.

both will require regular maintenance, aka rebuilds.

i would honestly just stick to the FD transmission until it becomes too problematic to retain.

@Jaime, Not sure I'll be doing it for sure, but I want to see what my options are before I go spend $3k+ on a T56 conversion. Ya know, why spend 70k on a NSX when you can just got get a GTR for a 'lil more. haha

@Ben, no 1/4 mile here. I'd like to eventually track the car at Infineon up here in norcal. I'll definetly not be using the car for any daily driving, just turning her into a fun track toy. (which weren't my original intentions as you can see by the thread title) I'd like to sometimes take it to a few car shows with buddies, but that'll be the extent of it seeing public roads.

PPG does make one, at least they used to a short while ago. Need to call and ask for it though.

Quaife has a 6 speed, but no reverse gear.

HKS has one too.

Tomei USA is the/one of the authorized dealer for PPG in the USA, or you need to ask someone down under. All dogboxes require rebuilding and maintenance. Some more than other, the PPG one is one of the more durable examples.

you can just buy an Fbody t56($1k-2k), a $250 adaptor plate from summit, and a clutch from spec($1600)

howard coleman has a writeup for the T56 iirc, somewhere around here with all the parts needed lists.

Thanks guys, still waiting on an email reply from PPG, so we'll see what they say. If all fails, a T56 we will go.. :rofl:

Also, the media blaster near me is using "crushed glass a 70 mesh" does anyone have any experience with media blasting, and know if this type of material will work with the softer aluminum of our FD unibody? The other alternative would be "soda blasting" which is a lil bit further, but if need be...

updatessss???

What do you mean? The FD body is steel; the hood is aluminum.

FWIW I would do soda blasting though. Why risk it?



John

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been moving to a new house/ busy working/enjoying summer vacation.
I've been waiting on this: Authentic RE-Amemiya AD9 wet carbon hood.

Also, I picked up another small project. I'm in the process of building a longboard to go riding around the hills here in NorCal with my buddies. #shredlife

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...l/DSCF6660.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...l/DSCF6661.jpg

^^ sourced direct from re ? or 3rd party ?

pm'd you imtiaz.

UPDATE:

Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Vector Mechanics, & Electrical Circuits have taken over my life.


I'll graduate one day.

ok bye.

I have my ME degree---don't miss those days. Good luck.

you're at the perfect time to take the EIT if you haven't yet then. won't need to study for it, its all in your head already :)

i have a rebuilt T56 if you do go that route. $1900 without bellhousing.

Also a contact for used NASCAR GForce parts. They make a nice 4 and 5spd dog box transmission. I run the GSR 4spd in my 438ci road race car. It shifts incredibly fast and is a track only transmission. Very loud constant whine. A 5spd would be nice....but they are $$$$'s.

That hood is nice :)...

Long nights of craming information into my brain isn't my ideal night, but sometimes it's actual stuff I'm interested in. Sometimes... haha

Carol, I'll probably take it after next semester. I want to get a few more classes out of the way first; plus I'm scared. It's finally come to the point where everything I've learned is judged off this one test. =X I've been debating on whether, or not to take the P.E. because someone told me that ME's don't really need it? I understand it'll be more beneficial to have it when I apply for jobs to be competitive, but why stress if I don't have to.

Thanks Chip, it's aiming to be your cars cousin. haha :icon_tup:


Mark, I might just take you up on that offer. I have my eye on a new Tremec T56 Magnum, but I really just want to get the car running.



Sneak peak at some stuff that just came in. I'm stilling waiting on one more part before I'll take actual photos, but I'll give you a hint... the FD should finally be able to roll on its own again & it has parts from a snake. Guess what it is, and I'll send you an internet high-five. hah

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...l/IMG_0043.jpg

I just got back from Hawaii last week, so I've been super lazy to unpack. Also, I was still waiting for the cradle to get here, so today I finally unboxed everything.

• '02 Cobra 8.8 IRS Diff w/ 4.10 gearing
• MAZDA 1993-1995 RX-7 (FD) Pro-Level Axle / Hub Kit
• FD cobra 8.8 cradle

I guess the only thing I need now to complete the suspension is the Trans & Driveshaft. Then hopefully soon, I can get back to finishing the body work. I've finally decided on a color, but I'll wait until she's painted to show everyone. Thanks for looking. :icon_tup:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...l/IMG_0050.jpg

what trans are you using????

I haven't purchased it just yet, but the plan is to run a Tremec T-56 Magnum 6-speed trans, model #TUET11012 /w a SFI approved bell housing. If not, I'll probably pickup a T56 from a goat or Fbody like everyone else is doing.

I'll have one more update coming very soon after this, but then nothing for a while. I need to keep the girlfriend happy, and she's already planned a few more trips over seas for us, so I have save up for that. "Happy wife happy life," right?!?!? :rofl:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CMG-TUET11012/

I first saw this cluster back in 2007, when FDNewbie had first started his website, iirc. Since then, I’ve been searching everywhere for it, and have even had a few of the import companies here on the forums & overseas try and source one for me, but no one could ever find one. There’s been time where I almost gave up, thinking that it only existed in pictures. I contemplated just purchasing one of the Spirit R clusters that pop-up from time to time on the forums, but since my build still needed some other major components I held off. Now that my build is getting ever so close to being finished, comparatively speaking, my dream cluster had finally came up in the classified section. A guy over in the UK (Nik da Greek) posted one up for sale back in late August, but someone had “dibs” before me, and Nik wanted to be as fair as possible, and gave him the first shot at it, and I completely understand. Unfortunately, RenesisFD (John) bought it, and I was left thinking I would never have the chance to see another go up for sale again, but it must be fate. Just a week or two ago John private messaged me, and let me know he wanted to sell the cluster to finish other major parts of his build. I immediately messaged him back, and asked for his paypal address. :rofl: So, after all this wait I’ve finally got what I consider the rarest cluster for the FD, maybe the blue mazdaspeed one too, and I couldn’t be happier. Thank you Nik for selling your baby, and thank you John for giving me the first chance to purchase it from you.

Here she is! I'm debating on updating it a little bit... maybe with some nice white LEDs for the backlighting. Going to see if the guys @ SBG can do it, or if anyone knows of a good company that offers a service to change cluster lights to LEDs?


Video that Nik took for the sale.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4waR...layer_embedded

Amazing Cluster!! I'd love to be able to get one someday as well.
I have the matching boost gauge already!

Enjoying the progress!:icon_tup:

Blackadde///

Changing over to LEDs is fairly simple, compared to everything else in your build. If you do get LEDs, just as a heads up, the socket between the oil pressure and fuel gauges doesn't leave much room for anything longer than a 0.5"-long bulb. I also lined the inside and perimeter of the gauge cluster with aluminum foil to reflect light through the gauges. The only downside to LEDs is that the light they emit isn't as omnidirectional as the stock incandescent bulbs (even if the bulb's LEDs are pointed in different directions). To get the cluster to light up evenly with LEDs, it's going to take some extra LEDs wired in parallel and spaced throughout the inside of the cluster. You can get LED bulbs off eBay at less than $2 each.

Looking forward to seeing how everything comes along.

@Josh, I'll defintely look into it & thanks for the info. I've made some electrical circuits in one of my Physics classes, and I've taken a few Electrical Engineering courses, so hopefully it's like riding a bike. Also, thanks for the kind words. Sometimes it feels like this project will never be finsihed.

Returning my BMW back to stock, so that I can sell it. Going to try and pick up a LSX FD to daily drive instead. I made a little video for my 4-sale thead. If I can't sell the headlights for near what I bought them for, I'm going to try and retrofit the projecters into some RE-A lights, and use the HALO eyes on my FEED turn signals. I think I already have a buyer for my Navigation System, but I wonder if it'd fit in a FD as well. It's called the Dynavin V5. They make a version that runs an Android os, which would be a nice addaition to any FD. We'll see if anyone buys them. :icon_tup:

http://youtu.be/R8YtMb5Vbh0

I guess I should consider myself lucky that I got to drive John's FD around the side roads at NJ Motorsports Park while he still had that FEED cluster installed :lol:

Rich, just come out to California for a SevenStock meet and I'll give you a ride along. :ky: :rofl: no homo.


Seriously though, I'm happy he decided to sell it. I've been looking forever, and this is the only one I've been able to find.

You were lucky. Nobody else had that pleasure but myself :lol:.


John

Nice build....I like all those JDM parts

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-vehicles-107/lsx-rx7-99spec-rx7-clean-983839/

Make it happen captain

I was looking at that, it's perfect. haha...but a few k out of my price range right now. Thanks for the link.

new year ... new semester.

Thermal-Fluid Systems
Mechanics of Materials
Machine and Product Design I
Engineering Mechanics Dynamics
Matrix Lab/Boe Bot

Next semester I start my senior project with a group of 3 other classmates. I'm hopping they are also interested in getting into the automotive industry, so that we can design something automotive related. Maybe even something for the FD. Now that would be cool.

Every year we have a group project. Last year was more Civil related; we built a 1ft long bridge out of Manila file folders and wood glue, yea folders! It surprisingly held max load of 62lbs for 5 seconds before breaking. Our team won the "maximum weight held" category, but we were disqualified for not following the blueprint to specs. We added a few extra tension beams in there, which we honestly thought were on the blueprint. :rofl:

This year we are building a Boe Bot using the kit linked below. We will have to program it using C++ to go around a pre-designated course, as well as, make it pick-up and shoot pingpong balls into baskets. I'm excited about the project, but I've heard really bad things about this teachers work ethic and grading. We'll see how it goes.

http://www.antratek.de/BoE_Bot.html

http://www.antratek.de/images/BoE_bot.jpg

Here's a video from the project that someones already completed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX0GXgEgfA0

Nice! I built the same bot but added additional sensor types so that our robot could navigate changing mazes faster than other robots. Whoever programmed the smartest logic would win. Won preliminaries, but got lazy and didnt improve on what we learned the day before the real race.

Ours made second :(

Carol, good to know my school does some of the same things Cal Poly does. haha Ohh, and.... sàangyaht faailohk!!!!!!

sounds and looks REAL good man!! keep it going

Nice build.

Thanks fellas. Things are coming a long slowly, but I should have some updates soon.

My Mazdaspeed dry sump system is getting some high flow mods done right now by ChipsMotorsports. It should be done in approx 2 months. I also ordered my T-56 Magnum through RPM, and they're doing some work to it as well.

Everything left to put the car back together are big ticket items, so things will move on like molasses from here. :rofl:

Also, looking at a new diff cover for the 8.8 that's CNC'd out of 6061. It will add fluid capacity, rigidity to the bearing caps, and rid some of us running the Samberg frame from adding more bracing. I will post back if everything fits, so others can venture of this way too.

http://www.foreinnovations.com/Produ...source=message

http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t.../DSC_08502.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...S/DSC_0735.jpg

That's a nice cover for sure, thanks for sending me the link, i'm in for one.

Signed up for Fall 2012 semester, which is my 2nd to last semester.

I finally graduate Spring 2013. :crazy:

Maybe then I'll be able to finish this damn car. :rofl:


Fall Courses:
Fluid Mechanics
Mechanical Properties of Materials
Concurrent Product and Process Design
Modeling & Simulation of Mechatronics and Control Systems
Machine Design II
Senior Project I

Our senior project will be automotive related. Part I, will involve coming up with a design and producing all the required paperwork for industry. Our last semester we will be actually building what we previously designed, and marketing it to prospective companies. :icon_tup:

~M

Baller build man! keep it goin!

I ordered some stuff from RHDJapan.com A big thanks goes out to Antell-san for all his help! I've been ordering stuff from these guys over the years, and have had nothing but the best experiences with them. My order got stuck in customs here in the U.S. for a week, and they took care of everything. A+++++ Customer service!

I didn't take any pics of the complete pillow-ball suspension bushings, but I will once I get my control arms media blasted, and have them all pressed in. Just a picture of them sitting there seems useless. Not that any of these other pics are helping. haha :icon_tup:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...e2012order.jpg


FEED Halogen Turn Lamps
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...otocopy2-1.jpg

RE-Amemiya Scuff Plates
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...photocopy7.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...photocopy8.jpg

Attain Rear Bumper Guard
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...photocopy6.jpg

Super*Now Sway Bar Mounts
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...otocopy3-1.jpg

R-Magic Skull Rotor Sticker
(I've always wanted this)
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...photocopy5.jpg

Test fitting the turn lamps on my RE-Amemiya 05 ADGT full carbon front bumper.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...dl/photo-2.jpg

Test fitting the lens covers.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...hotocopy-3.jpg

My Mazdaspeed dry-sump and compressor cover should be back from polishing next week. They told me they would be done today, but I never received an email from them. So, hopefully I'll have a few more updates coming very soon. :icon_tup:

That bumper and lights combo makes me hard.

lol. You and me both. :icon_tup:

Looking great Mike, I keep wanting to go dry sump. where are you planning on mounting the oil storage tank?

Choice parts for sure. Coming onlong nicely.

Matt, I'll most likely mount it in front of one of the oil cooler ducts.

Turbo8, thanks man. I feel like I'm getting closer, but still very far away from being finished.

Dry-sump front cover & Compressor housing fully polished.

I'm not sure I can really recommend these guys considering I sent the parts out April 27, of this year, and just got the email saying they were finished July 23. It just seems like a excessive amount of time to have these things polished. Apparently, they have a lot of work. :ugh2:

The compressor cover is on its way back to me to be reassembled, but the dry-sump front cover is going to Chipsmotorsports where my motor will be having some trick stuff done to it. I'll post more details about that later when the rebuild takes place.

Project fully polished 20b is on it's way. :icon_tup:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...-BEFORE-30.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...G-TURBO-90.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...R-BEFORE-8.jpg
(this must have been a PITA to polish. Look at all the little nooks and crannies in there.)
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...G-COVER-18.jpg

bling! bling! :rofl:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...dl/photo34.jpg

This build is intense, and it's coming from a college student at that... you sir, are doing it right.

Excuse me if I missed this info, but did you decide on a paint color yet for the exterior?

Ericsworld, thank you sir. I appreciate the feedback. I've narrowed it down to two colors, but I'm still undecided. I'll be painting it either Lamborghini "Balloon White," or Mazda "Innocent Blue Mica." Both are pretty rare colors here in the U.S., but I'll let it be a surprise when I get to that point. Just a few more parts, and she'll be ready for bodywork and paint. :icon_tup:

No updates :(

School has been stealing all my money. Tuition in California has been going up every year. I really need to graduate before they actually charge arms and legs. :rofl:

Some books came in the mail today though. All my time will be devoted to sitting in a library somewhere reading these. :icon_tup:


Attachment 699565

e85 is the answer.

Par-Engineering - Gearsets (Ford/Mazda)

http://www.albinsgear.com.au/productcatalogue.pdf